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GMC Sonoma

General Motors maintains a reputation of offering well-made and reliable cars and trucks, and the GMC Sonoma series fits in perfectly. These compact trucks were originally introduced in the early 1980s under the name S-15.

The automotive industry was one of the most influential new industries that came about during the Industrial Revolution of the early 1900s. All over the world, enterprising and innovative people chose to join the industry and make their name. Among them was a young man named R.E. Olds: He took over his father's existing industrial and naval engine plant and converted it to meet the needs of an automotive manufacturing facility. The year was 1892, and Olds was laying the foundation for the famous General Motors Corporation. He and his team of engineers and designers spent a few years perfecting their first design, but once the ball got rolling, GMC never looked back.

Of course, there have been hard times along the way, but GMC has always managed to stay on top of the game. The various mergers and acquisitions of the company contribute to its stability. General Motors has become a parent company to some of the most well-known names in the industry, including Chevrolet, Hummer, and Saab.

To this day, GMC still manufactures a number of families of cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs under its original name and logo, including the ever-popular Sonoma.

About the GMC Sonoma

GMC Sonoma trucks are the American answer to foreign small compact trucks offered in the U.S. For the American public, the Sonoma trucks mean affordability and dependability. This line of trucks gains popularity thanks to its smaller size. Many buyers find these trucks to offer many of the same abilities as the larger versions with better fuel economy and the ability to fit more easily into parking spaces.

While the second generation of the GMC Sonoma trucks shows a marked improvement over the first generation, many industry leaders feel the truck lacks sufficient updating to keep up with its competitors. The second generation offers plenty of power for the truck's size, but GMC didn't continue to update the model under the hood. The truck hasn't received many changes to the body style or interior cab, either. Many experts believe this hurt the Sonoma truck line in the 1990s. Other American and foreign manufacturers were able to outsell the Sonoma.

GMC Sonoma Features

General Motors offered the Sonoma truck line for the last time in the 2004 model year. Much like the previous model years, the Sonoma contains sufficient engine and transmission options. Also like the previous years, GMC offers three trim levels for the Sonoma. The SL is the base model, while the SLS provides the mid-range option. For those looking for a fully equipped Sonoma, GMC offers the SLE trim level.

There are several engine options available for the 2004 Sonoma, including the 2.2-liter, four-cylinder engine; the 4.3-liter V-6; and the Vortec 4.3-liter V-6. Each of these engine options offers a choice of transmission systems as well. Buyers choose from the standard four-speed automatic transmission or the five-speed manual transmission. All of the Sonoma trucks for 2004 offer four-wheel drive as an option.

In addition to the different trim levels, the Sonoma comes in different body styles. The regular cab design features the typical bench seat, capable of seating three people. The extended cab provides more seating and space in the cabin. The crew cab features four doors with additional seating space. The extended and crew cab designs are available with short or long beds, as well.

GMC Sonoma Evolution

General Motors executives decided to change the name from S-15 to the Sonoma in 1991. This change marks the only real difference in the trucks. The Sonoma line shares a similar design with the Chevy S-10. The biggest differences are found in the grille and tailgate designs. The S-15 and the Sonoma offer the regular, extended, and crew-cab body style options. The earlier versions of the Sonoma compact trucks also offer plenty of exterior paint choices and interior options, such as vinyl in the lower trim levels or cloth for the upgraded trim levels.

For the most part, the Sonoma trucks from past years are fairly popular for buyers looking for a used truck. Despite their rather outdated design, these trucks still maintain a reputation for their dependability and longevity. They provide ideal options for towing and hauling and do this almost as well as their larger counterparts, such as the 1500 and the 3500 Sierra series from General Motors. When well cared for, a used Sonoma truck offers a good option for those looking for light towing capabilities and basic design.